My male black cat, whom I rescued off the streets and nursed to health, likes to roam across the road. He lives with my grandparents, so I can only prevent him from doing this on weekends when I visit, which is barely effective. Just a few minutes ago, I was outside about ready to visit, and I saw my cat in her yard. Walking over, she said that the cat thought that he lived with her. She told me she feeds him and he sleeps on her porch every night. I know that is not completely true because my grandparents check on him every few hours, and they feed him three times a day! I was actually going to put him on a diet... anyway, she started bragging about how he loved her son and they wanted to bring him in but they can't! What should I do? It is making me furious...
2006-10-11 12:10:14 · 10 answers · asked by ebhs_girl 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
That's got to be annoying and even hurt more than a little! Ideally, your cat would bond with you. However, there are several factors here that must taken into consideration:
1) The cat doesn't live with you and as such, he doesn't see you day in and day out. Cats don't speak human languages; he has no way of knowing that you're supposed to be his human. Instead, he has chosen the person who does spend the most time with him. It's not meant as an insult to you; I'm sure you would be a wonderful human to him if you were around more.
2) If he were kept inside your grandparents' house, he would have bonded with them instead. Would you be jealous of them?
3) I'm certain the lady didn't mean to brag or set out to make you angry. Be grateful that she loves your kitty and doesn't try to have him sent to the pound. (When I was a child, I had neighbors that would box up my kittens while I was at school and I'd never see them again. I wish they would have just fed them and loved them so I could have at least seen them and known they were okay.)
I know these words are a cold comfort to you. The only way you could fix this situation would be to bring the cat to live with you permanently. However, if you were to do this now, it might break the cat's heart. He has already bonded with this lady and her son. Could you really risk hurting him like that? Sometimes, to truly love someone, you have to think of what's best for them and not for you.
2006-10-11 12:31:38 · answer #1 · answered by Avie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have the exact same problem with my cat. First ask your neighbor not to feed your cat, bring it inside, or confuse it on who the owners are; tell her to shoo it when it comes in there yard or you will be forced to take legal action. There is a legal law that was recently (last 5 years) established for pet-knapping. You have to be reasonable and if she doesn't comply with this, then you have to keep your cat inside your Grandparents house, tell them how you feel about it. Tell your neighbor that thousands of cats are put down each year by the humane society and if she really wants a cat that badly she should go buy her own feline friend and stop confusing and putting your cat in danger.
-Best of Luck
Be Strong!
-Angie
PS Male cats wander, and are very independent, let him know that you are his owner by keepin him inside for a week and spoiling with tuna, wet food, and remember if he doesn't initiate affection don't try to pick him up. IF it continues and he really lives over there than he is at your place, talk to your vet, and you may have to give him up.
2006-10-11 19:38:19 · answer #2 · answered by AngelicGlow777 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell the neighbor that if she really likes the cat to tell the cat to go home where it will be safe.It is unsafe for him to cross the road and the neighbor is encouraging it! Either that or give the cat to the neighbor and you just visit it on the weekends. It will be safer that way and all of you will get to visit the cat. Your grandparents won't have to have the bills and worry about it either!Best wishes!
2006-10-11 19:22:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just be glad that the neighbor likes the cat and hasn't called the pound on it, or hit it with their car. There are plenty of mean people out there, you should be happy there is someone else that looks out for your kitty.
2006-10-11 19:18:39 · answer #4 · answered by someoneoutthere 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why are you furious if someone wants to care for the cat when you arent around? this is just another person who loves him and that is what he needs he shouldnt be outside anyways
2006-10-11 19:36:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
License the cat! Plant catnip in your yard.
2006-10-11 19:21:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep your cat in your house
2006-10-11 19:18:16 · answer #7 · answered by Kiah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you dont really own a cat it owns you, or the person it prefers, thats the way cats are
2006-10-11 19:17:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
calmly take your ego out of the picture and ask the neighbor if she wants to share his vet bills too??
2006-10-11 19:17:29 · answer #9 · answered by sillygoose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
spend more time with your cat....play with him and stroke him when he wants to be stroked....
i am sure your neighbour wasnt saying this to make your jelous...she probly thought she would demonstrate how nice she is....ignore her
2006-10-11 19:16:55 · answer #10 · answered by zuli 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋